Charity Citizens Advice has launched a new service to support those who are struggling to apply for Universal Credit.
Claimants will be able to get support from the charity as they submit their Universal Credit application to get their first full payment.
Its new “Help to Claim” initiative will deliver tailored help available face-to-face, over the phone and online through webchat and advice content.
This may include assistance with the online application form or help with providing evidence such as childcare costs.
The service is funded by £39 million from the Department of Work and Pensions.
It comes after a survey by the charity found more than a third of people it helped with the benefit last year struggled to provide the evidence needed to complete their Universal Credit claim.
'Universal Credit rules meant I couldn't pay for my son's dinner'
Universal Credit is a new all encompassing benefit that combines six payments into one, including Jobseekers Allowance and Working Tax Credits.
It is now fully rolled out across the UK. When fully implemented, around 7 million people in England and Wales will be in receipt of it.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: “Today we’re launching a new service specifically for those who need help applying for Universal Credit.
“We offer free, independent, impartial and confidential advice to millions of people every year, and have already helped more than 230,000 people with Universal Credit. We’ve seen first-hand what can happen when people struggle to make a claim and their payments are delayed.
“Delivering this new service will give us even greater insight into people’s experiences. We’ll use that knowledge to continue to call for improvements so the Universal Credit system works for the people we help.”
Are you having issues with Universal Credit? Get in touch: emma.munbodh@mirror.co.uk.
